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The Secret Service received tips about an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. Despite these warnings, a gunman, Michael Thomas Crooks, managed to fire eight shots, injuring President Trump and others, and killing one attendee. The incident highlighted significant security lapses within the Secret Service.
A report from the Secret Service acknowledged breakdowns in communication and operational failures. The Secret Service failed to guard a rooftop with a clear line of sight to Trump, allowing Crooks to shoot from there. A Senate Committee report criticized the agency for denying requests for additional security at the rally.
Senator Chuck Grassley released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealing that the Secret Service had received classified intelligence about a threat to Trump ten days before the rally but failed to share it with local law enforcement. The GAO report highlighted procedural errors and communication failures that contributed to the security breach.
In response to these findings, the Secret Service has taken steps to address the identified issues, including creating an Aviation Division to oversee aerial operations and enhancing training for agents.